When my life gets stressful (as it has recently) Magick is the first thing to go. I beat myself up about not being disciplined or dedicated enough, about relaxing in front of the TV when I could be practising the [insert flavour of the week] Ritual; but in the last week I remembered that this is tendency to feel like one isn't doing enough, only makes things worsr.
Magic is work, it takes energy and a clear mind. It can be draining and tiring. As I was feeling tired and stressed and berating myself for not doing a couple of bits of magical work over the weekend I began to realise something. That at the moment any attempt to meditate would fail. My mind was too churned up or alternatively too tired out. I felt a bit fuzzy-headed and slightly (usually for me) under-confident. Does this sound like a perfect recipe for successful Magic? Not really.
Given that stress is a huge factor in modern life, it is likely it is a huge factor in the life of the modern witch. Particularly in these times of economic uncertainty where many people are losing their jobs, are short of money or are incredibly overworked in the jobs they have kept. So how can we stop stress from overwhelming our lives (or in particular our magickal lives - this being a magickal blog).
So before I can back to the practice I have to step away from stress. Easier said than done. In my current state of feeling overwhelmed by everything I know I have to start somewhere, to avoid feeling like I have been trapped. But equally I can't be taking on big things, big projects and big ideas. So where do I go from here...
If I know anything about shifting the energy block of stress it is this:
1. Go a bit easier on yourself. Now is not the time to beat yourself up for failing. If you need to take things a little bit more easily - arrange thing so that you can.
2. Do small things and don't worry if they don't work. Meditate for 5 mins instead of 20. If you can concentrate and the meditation is a wash out then don't worry about it but make sure you show up tomorrow. Keep showing up and not worrying if it doesn't "work" eventually a small break through will happen.
3. Eat a little better, drink a little less caffeine and exercise a little more.
Magic is work, it takes energy and a clear mind. It can be draining and tiring. As I was feeling tired and stressed and berating myself for not doing a couple of bits of magical work over the weekend I began to realise something. That at the moment any attempt to meditate would fail. My mind was too churned up or alternatively too tired out. I felt a bit fuzzy-headed and slightly (usually for me) under-confident. Does this sound like a perfect recipe for successful Magic? Not really.
Given that stress is a huge factor in modern life, it is likely it is a huge factor in the life of the modern witch. Particularly in these times of economic uncertainty where many people are losing their jobs, are short of money or are incredibly overworked in the jobs they have kept. So how can we stop stress from overwhelming our lives (or in particular our magickal lives - this being a magickal blog).
So before I can back to the practice I have to step away from stress. Easier said than done. In my current state of feeling overwhelmed by everything I know I have to start somewhere, to avoid feeling like I have been trapped. But equally I can't be taking on big things, big projects and big ideas. So where do I go from here...
If I know anything about shifting the energy block of stress it is this:
1. Go a bit easier on yourself. Now is not the time to beat yourself up for failing. If you need to take things a little bit more easily - arrange thing so that you can.
2. Do small things and don't worry if they don't work. Meditate for 5 mins instead of 20. If you can concentrate and the meditation is a wash out then don't worry about it but make sure you show up tomorrow. Keep showing up and not worrying if it doesn't "work" eventually a small break through will happen.
3. Eat a little better, drink a little less caffeine and exercise a little more.
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